Deck Issue (pictures included)

I have a contract on a house; today was the inspection. The house passed with flying colors..... except for the deck. The home and deck are ~17 years old. While the deck boards themselves have been well cared for, it appears that some of the supports under the deck itself are separating from the wall. The deck is approximately 32' long with 24 support beams ~16'' apart perpendicular to the house. About 9 of the support beams are separating from the wall (just slightly).

I'm including pictures below. I included the most egregious examples; basically, I want to know, is this something that will require a massive overhaul or is this something that can be relatively painlessly fixed.

Deck Issue (pictures included)

They may have been like that since it was built.
Check to see if the deck is level or tipped slightly away from the house.
For the joist to have moved like that the house would have to have moved down (not likly) or the outside coloums had to move up. Frost can lift post a if there not set in the ground far enough below the frost level.
If your in a warm climet then that's not it. So I'd suspect the joist may have just been cut at an angle by mistake. That little cut out did not need to be tight to the 2 X 2.

I would be more concerned with what looks like no flasing at the wall. A big nono.
As to the other posters coments, that the way older decks were built before there was joist hangers.
Simple fix if you go back and add 90 Deg. L brackets on both sides of the joist.

Deck Issue (pictures included)

The ledger notches should all have the same -1/4" gap to the ledger as looking at the farthest from the camera. Not the 3/4"-1" gap as shown. Possibly the through-bolts were lined-up in the center grain (area) of the ledger joist at install, incorrectly so. Instead of off-setting them, high-then-low or staggered as is Code now- fig.19; http://www.awc.org/Publications/DCA/DCA6/DCA6-09.pdf: With some water due to improper top flashing as Joe suggested, the ledger could "cup" because of lack of bolts along there, pushing the whole deck from the house. Notice the ledger top edge is tight to the joists' tops. OR- the whole deck heaved at the posts as Joe surmised, and is still higher than the house side. Put a level on it......Replacing the ledger is a semi-major task, especially if it needs new top-side flashing. It is dangerous in the existing condition--- do not use it!

Gary

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Deck Issue (pictures included)

Look again at those pictures GBR, That gap I think your talking about is the 2 X 2 sitting on the ledger making it look like that.
In the second picture it shows it tight to the wall.
I do not think it's the ledger cuped.

Deck Issue (pictures included)

I see the gap growing in pic. #3 with the window steel lintel included. Look at it "grow" on each one from the other end to the camera. As I said before, "OR- the whole deck heaved at the posts as Joe surmised, "

Gary
P.S.- a level to check all deck corners elevation would tell.....

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If any ads are present below my answer or words underlined/colored, I do not condone/support/use the product or services listed/linked to, they are there without my consent.
WELCOME to the forums, if I forgot to say it!